STUFF IN OUR HEAD
Saturday Sept. 29, 2108
Writing is like talking.
We make it up as we go along, much like we do in any free-flowing conversation. Even if we start with an agenda or plan there are countless diversions, distracting “oh, squirrel …” moments. In conversations, our own plan/agenda collides with plans/agendas of others …
To say nothing of those other voices …
In writing, as alone and solitary as that process might be some days for this writer – other voices often invade beyond din of phone calls, email, routine-disrupting noises and distractions. It’s that ‘stuff in our head’. Pushing back, pushing aside, pushing ‘out of mind’ is not possible, because what is in our head is in our head.
Somebody says or does something, or we have a thought ‘out of the blue’ – then it enters the conversation and takes up its space. Next time you chat with someone – see if you can keep track of how many directions/tangents flowing to/fro much like a bee with too many flowers urging attention (or man holding TV clicker), whatever interests us in any moment so easily causes us to set aside from our focus whatever next issue, person, thought or flower …
Focusing requires discipline. Helps when there’s a deadline – but what matters significantly is having a passion. Might be that meal you are in the middle of preparing, presentation you are giving or the lap of some race you are running – that’s focus. Nothing can derail you. It’s a unity of body and mind, spirit and purpose.
Yeah, yeah, I know, every thinking person knows these things. Sure, so why do we all have piles and lists and desks that imply we aren’t focused, aren’t committed and we are far from any finish line?
Is it too little focus, too many things we are trying to keep our eyes and mind on?
